UN mission puts limits on Nepal Maoist rebels

The move follows reports that Maoists have continued their recruitment drives despite the peace deal between Govt and rebels.

The United Nations mission in Nepal has said no Maoists, recruited after the date of signing of peace accord between the rebels and the government, would be accepted in the cantonments meant for housing them as part of the deal.

The mission, led by the UN Secretary General's Personal Representative Ian Martin, has set May 25, 2006, as the deadline for Maoist recruits who wish to be housed in the cantonments.

The move follows reports that Maoists have continued their recruitment drives despite the peace accord signed between the government and the rebels.

No under 18 combatants and no new recruits will be allowed in the cantonment, Martin said adding those below the age of 18 will be sent for rehabilitation with their family members.

The same rule will apply in case of the Nepalese Army personnel, he told reporters here, hours before he flew to New York to meet the UN Secretary General to report the latest political development in the Himalayan country.

A tripartite agreement will be signed before confining the arms and the armies of the government and the Maoists in cantonments and barracks, he said.

Tripartite talks between government, Maoists and the UN representatives are going on and they are moving towards a positive direction, he said.